Harlan White Bennett

Harlan White Bennett, 93, passed away Friday, January 12, 2024 at Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville, Maryland.  

He was born September 30, 1930 in Circleville, West Virginia to the late Curtis and Alpha (Sponaugle) Bennett.

He enlisted in the United States Army on December 9, 1952.  His travels brought him to many countries that he loved.  He received the “Nation”.

On January 3, 1955, Harlan married the love of his life, Opal Darlene McCoy “Darlene”.  They made several moves during their marriage. They left Franklin and moved to Canton, Ohio, where their first child, Steven Bennett, was born.  Later they returned to Franklin, where their second child, Michael Dale Benett, was born.  They then relocated to Maryland, where they remained.

Harlan worked for the Montgomery County Department of Highway Services and retired in 1996.  He and Darlene became snowbirds and would go to Florida every winter and return in the spring.  They loved this and continued until Darlene’s passing on November 30, 2009.

Harlan was a faithful member of the Walnut Street United Methodist Church.  He was a man of God and would always quote the Bible to anyone that would listen to him.

Harlan’s faith and family were his life.  He loved West Virginia, which was always his home, even though he resided in Maryland. He built a home in West Virginia which he frequented every chance he had.  He loved being outside and building things.  He had such a knowledge of everything, which was so amazing.

Surviving are – 

Two sons – 

Steven Bennett (Debbie) and Michael Dale Bennett (Cheryl Walker) of Damascus, MD

Two grandchildren – 

Steven Kyle Bennett (Tess) and Jaime McDonald (Colin) of Monrovia, MD

Two great-grandchildren – 

Keagan Timothy McDonald and Brendan Rory McDonald

One sister – 

Judy Stout (Dywayne) of Franklin, WV

One sister-in-law – 

Nancy Bennett of Sugar Grove, WV

One aunt – 

Idelta (Sponaugle) Lambert of Circleville, WV

And many nieces and nephews

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Kylee June Bennett; a sister, Delane Etta Bennett; brothers, Paul, Raymond, Hartsel, Guy and Richard, and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Walnut Street United Methodist Church in Franklin, where a funeral service will begin at 12:00 noon with Pastor Michael Loudermilk officiating.

Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery at Franklin. 

A reception will follow at the Walnut Street United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Childrens’ Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105 or Walnut Street United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 638, Franklin, WV  26807.